Karramarro Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on offer over the next couple of weeks at Karramarro.

Honestly, for the first week and a bit it’s a quiet stretch. Most of the swell is tiny and weak, and even when there is a bit of energy, the wave quality isn't there. From Thursday the 6th right through to Sunday the 17th of August, we’re looking at a long gap of poor surf. You’ll see wave heights struggling between 1ft and 3ft for days, with combined swell energy mostly in the low double digits or just under 100 – really weak stuff (between 13 and 124). The periods are short too, mostly 5 to 10 seconds, so nothing with any punch. The wind often has a cross or cross-onshore component, so conditions stay ordinary.

There are a few nice glassy mornings, like Friday the 7th, Saturday the 8th, Tuesday the 11th, and Thursday the 13th, but with only 1ft to 2ft on offer and those low energy values, there’s hardly anything to ride. The swell direction is mainly NW or NNW, but Karramarro is a point break that does best with NW swells, so the direction is fine – there just isn’t enough size or period to make it worthwhile.

The only real glimmer in the whole window comes on the morning of Monday the 17th of August. That morning we get a jump in size to 5ft with a W (slightly NW) swell, period 7 seconds, and combined energy hitting 241. Conditions turn glassy with a light variable breeze from the NNE. The *wave comment* says "surfable waves but very ordinary conditions", but for this stretch that is the standout. The swell is still a bit short period and the energy is only moderate, but it’s the biggest and cleanest we’ll see. By the afternoon it gets choppy and messier.

Tuesday the 18th of August morning steps up even bigger to 8ft from WNW with period 9 seconds and combined energy roaring up to 868. That is strong wave energy and a solid size – but the wave quality is flagged as marginal due to questionable tide conditions, and with a cross-shore wind, it won’t be clean. At over 8ft that afternoon (7ft) it’s edging toward expert-only territory anyway.

Wednesday the 19th still has some size (5ft) but with rain and cross-onshore winds, it’s poor.

So, if I was going to pick one moment to paddle out, it’d be the morning of Monday the 17th of August. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best we get – a clean glassy morning with the biggest surf before the winds spoil it. Over 5ft, it’s a bit much for beginners. For experienced surfers, that’s your window.

That’s the long and short of it. Keep an eye on the forecasts, things change, but right now it’s a lean run.

Rusty.

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